By Fiona Blackwood and Luke Bowden
Vet Danielle Huston will attempt to keep the clinic open during Cyclone Alfred Photo: ABC News: Luke Bowden
An emergency vet on the Sunshine Coast is determined to stay open as Cyclone Alfred sweeps the Queensland coast.
The business is even prepared for pet owners to camp out with their animals if it is not safe for them to return home.
"This is our thing and this is what we do well and we're prepared to be here and help," senior vet Danielle Huston said.
"We are anticipating being here the whole time as long as it's safe to do so."
Staff at Animal Emergency Service Tanawha have been preparing for the storm event all week.
"We organised to hire two generators and that was no mean feat," business manager Jackie Wood said.
Banjo the dog, during a pre-cyclone visit to Animal Emergency Service Tanawha. Photo: ABC News: Luke Bowden
Prepared for pet owners to camp
The surgery is stocked with extra fuel for the generators, clean water and plenty of food to keep vets and nurses fed during what could be a long stretch of treating animals.
Vet Danielle Huston is expecting to see mostly wildlife during the storm, as well as runaways or sick pets.
Jackie Woods (left) and vet Danielle Huston plan keep the clinic open during the cyclone. Photo: ABC News: Luke Bowden
"We see a lot of birds, we see reptiles, we see possums, occasional koalas," she said.
"We see lots of trauma, so dog and cat attacks or road traffic incidents.
"And then we'll see everything from injuries to normal (pet) illnesses."
Pam Siddins with JJ the kitten. Photo: ABC News: Luke Bowden
The surgery has cushions ready for pet owners to camp out on the floor if weather conditions mean they cannot return home,
'This is part of our norm'
Pam Siddins's 16-year-old son recently bought home two stray kittens.
They are an addition to an already-full house, which includes "a dog, a snake, ten fish and four children", according to Ms Siddins.
JJ the kitten's owner says its a relief the vet will be available during the storm. Photo: ABC News: Luke Bowden
She brought one of the kittens, JJ, into the surgery this week for treatment and was relieved it would remain open throughout the cyclone.
Dr Huston said it was all part of the service.
"This is part of our norm, being here when other people can't," she said.
- ABC
